Latest news with #ANC-aligned
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
DA: Minister Nkabane packed SETA panel with ANC loyalists
Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane faces scrutiny after disclosing the names of the SETA board selection panel, following accusations of bias and lack of transparency. Image: X The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane of 'misleading' Parliament by claiming the SETA selection panel was independent, despite alleged ANC affiliations and ties to her office. The party alleges that Nkabane inaccurately claimed that all members of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) Board Chairpersons Selection and Evaluation Panel were independent. According to the DA, the panel consisted of individuals linked to the African National Congress (ANC) and staff from the minister's own office. The controversy comes after weeks of tension between Nkabane and the committee. Members insisted that Parliament had a constitutional right to know who was appointed to oversee this key governance function. IOL News previously reported that Nkabane had previously refused to disclose the panel's composition and reportedly clashed with MPs during a tense committee meeting last month, where she was accused of being dismissive. However, due to mounting pressure, Nkabane, on Tuesday released the names of the panel members appointed to oversee the selection and recommendation of SETA board chairpersons. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The panel, disclosed by the minister, includes: - Adv. Terry Motau, SC (Chairperson), although the committee noted he did not attend any of the meetings - Asisipho Solani - Nelisiwe Semane - Mabuza Ngubane - Rhulani Ngwenya DA MP and member of the committee Karabo Khakhau questioned the transparency of the process, alleging the panel helped Nkabane appoint ANC-aligned individuals to key SETA board positions. Khakhau pointed out that Solani is a former South African Students Congress (SASCO) leader and a former member of the Western Cape ANC Youth League's interim leadership. Solani currently serves as an advisor to the minister. Semane is the minister's chief of staff, while Ngubane is a chief director for SETA coordination, and Ngwenya is the department's deputy director-general for corporate services. Khakhau also said that Motau, while listed as chairperson, did not attend any meetings, raising questions about who led the panel's deliberations. Additionally, Khakhau accused Nkabane of failing to disclose all panel members. The minister reportedly said one individual requested anonymity, and she withheld two more names from the National Skills Authority (NSA) Selection and Evaluation Panel, as well as one from the Universities Council Ministerial Appointments and the Selection and Evaluation Panel for the Council for Higher Education (CHE). Khakhau said the party plans to refer Nkabane to the ethics committee, accusing her of misleading Parliament by claiming all members of the SETA Board Chairpersons Selection Panel were independent The DA said it will request the full minutes of the panel's meetings and all reports submitted to the NSA regarding the appointments. Meanwhile, Portfolio Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie welcomed the eventual disclosure of the panel members' names, saying the committee had consistently maintained that the minister was constitutionally obligated to reveal this information. 'We are pleased that sanity has prevailed and that the minister has now complied with this requirement,' said Letsie. 'The committee believes this disclosure should have occurred from the outset.'
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
@Trending: Unisa in the dwang for targeting a whistle-blower
Unisa is back in the news again, and for all the wrong reasons. Unisa has suspended another senior official in their finance department for blowing the whistle on R500 000 allegedly spent on an ANC-aligned event. @CoolyNicey Woooooow spending money on @MYANC instead of settling students debt. @unisa. You guys are such a disgrace. @Mqadi99 The time has come for ALL the eyes of sober-minded South Africans to look closely at this Unisa. @Jikingqina @unisa credibility is going down day by day. @404HumanNot Public funds must never be used for partisan purposes. If the allegations are true, this is a clear violation of Unisa's mandate and the public trust. What's needed now is an independent investigation, immediate protection for all whistleblowers, and firm accountability. @Andyklaas1 Unisa is a mess,students in Mthatha have been told that the lecturer has vanished with test results,apparently its not the 1st time and when found some fictional results are given to students. @TshegoWatsona Unisa is falling apart, the rogue elements being protected by former President Mbeki the aids denialist. Personally, I don't hire people with political experience/connections and an education background from Unisa. I'd rather get someone with a second degree from there. @KitsoLefik Unisa is compromised. @VusiSambo So, UNISA has suspended suspected snitch, one Donald Ndlovu, a director in the asset and expenditure unit for allegedly downloading the R500 000 proof of payment to the ANC-aligned Progressive Business Forum (for some Gala Dinner in which dodgy UNISA VC Cde Puleng LenkaBula got to chill next to Cyril together with 11 of her other executive members. Tons of selfies were taken at the event). The counterrevolutionary & enemy of Black progress, AfriForum is now representing the snitch. DAILY NEWS
The South African
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
EFF slams Ramaphosa's National Dialogue as political diversion
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's proposed National Dialogue, describing it as a deflection from the African National Congress's (ANC) failures rather than a genuine solution to South Africa's challenges. Ramaphosa launched the initiative on Tuesday, announcing a National Convention to take place in August. He called on South Africans from all sectors to join in shaping the country's future. 'The National Dialogue is a chance for all South Africans, from all walks of life, to come together and help shape the next chapter of our democracy,' Ramaphosa said in a video and written statement. He acknowledged the nation's crisis: 'Millions of people are underemployed and unemployed… Crime, gender-based violence and corruption are prevalent across our society.' The EFF, however, condemned the initiative, arguing that it wrongly draws parallels with the post-apartheid transition. 'The challenges are a product of man-made destruction and corruption, of which he and the party he leads [ANC] have been the centre of,' the party stated. The EFF maintains that the dialogue overlooks the real cause of the nation's crisis, systemic governance failures by the ruling party over the past 30 years. The party also questioned the integrity of the 'eminent persons' selected to lead the dialogue, alleging many of them are ANC-aligned or have openly supported Ramaphosa's internal political campaigns. The 30-person group includes respected judges, business leaders, scientists, religious figures, and cultural icons like John Kani and Siya Kolisi. The EFF warned that a national conversation would not resolve deep-rooted issues such as unemployment, landlessness, gender-based violence, and crime. Instead, it stressed the need for systemic reforms and accountability. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
UNISA faces scrutiny after finance official's whistle-blowing on ANC-linked spending
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has revealed that she is keeping a close eye on the prevailing conditions, which have seen the continued suspension of senior officials at the institution. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane has revealed that her department is keeping a close eye on the situation at the University of South Africa (UNISA). This comes amid reports that the institution has been engaged in a series of suspensions involving some of its senior officials who are being sidelined for allegedly sounding the alarm on irregular financial transactions at the institution. In the latest wave of suspensions, it is reported that the university has suspended another senior official in its finance department for blowing the whistle on R500,000 that was allegedly spent on an ANC-aligned event. It is reported that this official is suspected of having allegedly downloaded the R500,000 proof of payment for the event. In a statement on Monday, the minister indicated that she was looking into the issues affecting the integrity of the institution, which has in the past been dogged by controversy following previous allegations of poor governance and financial mismanagement. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Minister of Higher Education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. Image: Twitter "The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has taken note of recent developments at the University of South Africa, including the alleged suspension of senior officials and ongoing concerns about governance and financial management. "The minister wishes to assure all stakeholders that the department is closely monitoring the situation and will be engaging with the university and supporting it in addressing any governance and operational shortcomings," she said. Nkabane's remarks come just over a week after AfriForum's private prosecution unit indicated that it has noticed a pattern in how the institution deals with some of its officials who have turned into whistle-blowers due to the prevailing atmosphere of concealing criminality within the higher echelons of the institution. As a result, the unit has confirmed that it now represents Donald Ndlovu, who was suspended as a senior manager within the institution's finance department and placed under cautionary suspension at the end of April. In a statement, spokesperson for the unit, Barry Bateman, revealed that since April last year, the unit has represented Dr Reshma Mathura, Unisa's acting vice principal finance and chief financial officer. "Despite being on suspension for more than a year, the disciplinary process is still ongoing. The unit understands that several investigations of Mathura's conduct have cleared her of corruption allegations that she received illicit payments from students. The unit suspects she was suspended for her role in exposing corruption and cooperating in a Hawks investigation of financial malfeasance at the institution," stated Bateman.
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Is the ANC to blame for a negative perception of its officials?
ANCYL SG claims deployees are often stigmatised because of their political affiliation. The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has defended the deployment of ANC-aligned professionals into critical public service positions, but claims they are often victimised. The organisation's secretary-general, Mntwoxolo Ngudle, said deployees are often judged because of their political affiliation. 'The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) notes with concern the growing trend of public discourse that seeks to stigmatise and delegitimise the deployment of highly qualified ANC-aligned professionals to public institutions. 'It is disheartening that individuals who possess the highest forms of academic and professional qualifications, some holding doctorates and years of industry experience, are dismissed solely because of their affiliation with the ANC,' he said. He said casting aspersions on ANC-aligned professionals is a blow to the country's transformation agenda and the need for equality. 'We reject the narrow narrative that presumes any ANC member appointed to a position of responsibility is there by virtue of patronage rather than merit. 'This weaponisation of public opinion against ANC deployees is a calculated political attack designed to weaken the ANC's influence in key institutions of development,' he claimed. ALSO READ: 'Political gaslighting': Will Lesufi really fire corrupt officials? The analyst explains why there is a negative perception However, political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast told The Citizen that the ANC is to blame for the negative perception that the public has about the party. 'The ANC has displayed a culture of not caring for its people, let's be honest. 'Most municipalities are failing to comply with the Municipal Finance Management Act. Public officials are doing business with the municipalities that they work for, that is an 'I don't care attitude,'' he said. Breakfast said there is evidence that the ANC has used jobs in the public sector to reward certain individuals close to the executive. 'The problem is the ANC has been using the public service as a terrain of accumulation, but also as a terrain to dish out favours to some of their henchmen. 'When a president is elected, or even in regional politics, whoever ascends the state machinery will be used to dish out favours to those people who assisted,' he said. Appointments in the DA-run municipalities DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the party has always ensured that professionals in the administration of the municipalities they run are appointed on merit. 'We do not apply cadre deployment at all, we believe that the most competent person must be appointed to a position. 'The fact that you are a member of a political party should not play a role in your appointment whatsoever,' he said. However, the party said the law does allow it to appoint its members to political office. 'Political office is exactly what it says that is political office. With a political appointment, it is connected to the term of that elected person, and when that person is removed, the other positions attached to this also end,' he said. NOW READ: Mbalula: It is very painful to see your own comrades being arrested
